Drueding Center

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The Child That’s Got His Own Drueding sponsors a variety of programs that allow young people to be children again – to laugh, to learn, to imagine and to feel a part of the community. “We want to provide teens with the necessary tools to face the real world and all the issues and problems that come with it. Our goal is to see these youths become self-sufficient young adults,” says Heather Stotter, Drueding’s Youth Coordinator. Too often, poor or homeless children receive second-class services and minimal opportunities – or none at all. Many have had to change schools multiple times. At Drueding Center/Project Rainbow, the aim is to give these children access to the best of everything – in education, personal development, health care, cultural enrichment and stimulating activities, says executive director Anne Marie Collins. The Drueding Teen Network was created at the urging of program graduates who were concerned that their children would get left behind after leaving Drueding. Open to youths, ages 8-21, the Teen Network offers practical workshops on conflict resolution, career awareness and health, as well as fun classes on karate, art and drums. Or teens can branch out by page 5 contributing drawings, poems and reviews of movies, books and music to the Network newsletter. The responsibility of “paying it forward” is introduced to the youths who perform volunteer services at a number of area organizations. Bev’s 15-year-old daughter, Jeneen, is president of the Teen Network and recently baked cookies that were sold to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. She and other members of the Teen Network helped Philadelphia Cares paint public school classrooms, among other community service projects over the year. Jeneen says she’s gotten the guidance she needs from Drueding staff members to pursue her long-term goal of going to college to be a pharmacist. “I want to have a good life, a good home, a good job I like doing.” Asked what she's learned from being homeless, the 10th grader replies: “If you’re determined to have a better life, you can have it.” Jeneen’s favorite activity at Drueding is helping out at the annual Christmas party for residents and graduates. “I like seeing everyone get back together after their lives have been situated.”
“Mama may have, Papa may have, But God bless the child That’s got his own.” “God Bless the Child,” Billie Holiday, 1939 page 6 Among Drueding graduates, 53% are now employed at full- or part-time jobs and 20% are enrolled in job training or going to school. Case managers continue to assist families for seven years after they leave the transitional housing program. Here, a LifeSkills coordinator works with a resident to prepare her for living on her own again.
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Drueding Center

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